Means for transferring high-potential electric currents as interrupted arcs.



c. e. KOPPI TZ. MEANS FOR TRANSFERRING HIGH POTENTIAL ELECTRIC CURRENTS AS INTERRUPTED ARCS.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 23- 1913.

Patented May 23, 1916.

UNITED STATES PATENT orriou cam. e. KOPPITZ, or WILKINSBUBG, PENNSYLVANIA.

MEANS FOR TRANSIEERRING HIGH-POTENTIAL ELECTRIC. oUImE-N'rs as INrEImUPTED ARCS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CARL citizen of the United States, residing at \Vilkinsburg, in. the county of Allegheny of from one or two thousand up to several I hundred thousand volts, by synchronously transferring unidirectional currents as'arcs between rotating distributors connected to the source of direct current and fixed commutator-segments connected by spaced leads to different portions of a closed alternating-currentwinding, the distributers being driven in synchronism with the alternating-current phases.

The presentinyention relatesto means for extinguishing thearcs as soon asthe distributers pass the fixed segments;

Referring to the accompanying drawings :Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a converter having fixed alternating-current 7 terminals consisting of pairs of successive members electrically in parallel, the means for extinguishing the arcs 0OI1S1Sl'1lI1g"0f a v condenser in the circuit of the second ter-. minal of each pair; Fig. 2 illustrates the same converter as that of-F-ig. 1, but the means for extinguishing the arcs is a single condenser, operatively. associated, through transformers, with the circuits of the second member of every pair of alternating-current terminals; Fig.3 illustrates a converter employing single fixed terminals and pairs of rotating direct-current terminals. theterminals of like sign being electrically in parallel, and the means for extinguishing'the arcs being a condenser operatively associated, through transformers, with the circuits of the trailing terminals; and Fig. 4 illustrates the same converter as that of Fig. 3, but the means for extinguishing the arcs is a mechanical interrupter, operatively associated,

through transformers, with the circuits of the trailing terminals.

The converter illustrated in Flg. 1 comprises an alternating-current winding 1,

Specification of Letters Patent.

from which spaced leads 2 extend inward to a circular row of fixed segments, arranged in pairs 3, 3. The revolving terminals" 4, 5 of opposite polarity are connected by leads 6, 7 to slip-rings 8, 9, carried by a shaft 10. Brushes 11, 12 bear on these rings. A

condenser 13 is interposed in parallel be tween each of the leads 2 and the second member 3 of each pair of terminals. As the distributer 4 shifts from the first terminal 3 to the second terminal 3, the condenser 13 becomes charged, opposing. further flow of current at this point. As the terminal 4 passes onward toward the sec- 0nd terminal 3, the charge of the condenser becomes sufficiently high to aid the current 1n arcing'from terminal 4 to the second terminal 3, and then to extinguish the are at terminal 3.' The condenser remains charged until the revolving terminal 5, of opposite polarity, arrives at its terminal 3, where- Patented May 23, 1916.

Application filed September 23, 1913. Serial No. 791,312.

upon it is discharged and recharged in the opposite direction until its potential is again sufliciently high to cause the arc to striketo the next terminal 3. Each condenser is thus alternately charged first in one direction and then in the other, as the terminals 4, 5 revolvepast its terminal 3'.

Fig. 2 illustrates the same converter as Fig. 1, except that the several condensers 13 are replaced by asingle condenser 13. The plates of this condenser are connected, by wires 14, 15, successively in opposite directions to one winding of several transformers '16, the other winding of' each of which is connected to'a fixed terminal 3, by a circuit from lead 2, paralleling that to terminal 3. v

The connection of the condenser to successive transformers in opposite directions causes it to become. charged in opposite directions as the revolving terminals pass consecutive terminals 3'. In order to thus employ a single condenser, operating simultaneously with the two revolving terminals of opposite polarity, it is necessary that the total number of fixed terminals be a number divisible by three, and also divisible by .two to give a quotient which is an odd number, 6. 9., 18, 30, 42, etc. The voltage of all transformers connected to the wires 14, 15 will vary simultaneously, but only those two opposed transformers finder the influence of the two revolving terminals will at any instant be carrying the main current; all the other transformers .will take only sufficient vFi 3 illustrates a converter which provlded with single fixed alternating-cur- -minals 4, 4 and 5, 5 of oppositepolarit'y; The second terminal of each revolving pair is connected to the lead 6 or 7, in parallel with the connection to the: terminal 4 or 5,

lo through one winding of one of two transformers 17, the other windings of which are connected through a circuit '18 to .a condenser 19. These auxiliary revolving terminals 4;, 5 perform the same function as the auxiliary fixed terminals 3-, of Figs. 1

and 2, and the condenser 19 extinguishes the arcs inthe same manner as does the condenser 13" of Fig. 2. Since the-described condensers serve simply as a means 'for in- 20 terrupting the current and extinguishing the arc at the second of each pair of terminals, anyother interrupter ma be substltuted therefor, provided that it 'actsat the proper time and that the-interruption" '25 is not so sudden as to cause excessive voltchanical interrupter is substituted for the condenser.

One winding of each transformer 17 is connected through acircuit comprising leads 20, slip-ring 21, and brush 22- to the interrupter. This device comprises a brush 23 and a circular row of insulated segments 24 connected back to the circuit 20 by a common wire 25. The segments are mounted on the shaft 10 Which carries the revolving converter-terminals, the interruptlons being thereby properly timed. To prevent undue strains upon the converter windings 1, condensers 26 may be interposed between each pair of adjacent leads 2. The arcs between the brush 23 and segments 24 may be extinguished byany' usual means, for example a magnetic blowout.

I claim proximity, one set of terminals consisting of pairs of successive members electrically in parallel, and means aiding in establishing arcs, and for extinguishing the arcs between the second terminal of each pair. and the v opposing terminal. 1 5 rent terminals 3.but with two revolving ter- 2, Means .for transferring high-potential currents as interrupted arcs, comprising .sets of relatively movable terminals in arcing proximity, one set of terminals consisting of pairs of successive members electrically in parallel, and means aiding in establishing arcs, and for extinguishing the arcs between the second terminal of each pair and the opposing terminal, consisting of a condenser in operative relation to the circuit of each of said second terminals.

3. In combination with a. converter for high-potential currents, consistlng of an alminals, and a direct-current distributor havlngterminals arranged in arcing proximity to the alternating-current terminals, said al-' ternatingcurrent and direct-current terminals being relatively revoluble and one set of terminals consistin of pairsof successivemembers electrically in parallel, means aiding in establishing arcs, and for extinguish-- ing the arcs between the second terminal of 7 each pair and the opposing terminal.

n combination with a converter for terminals.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature 7 in presence of two witnesses. 1. Means for transferring high-potential 50 currents as interrupted arcs, comprising sets of relatively movable terminals in arcing CARL o. KOPPITZ. 

